Eagles to open JQH Arena in November

Multi-Grammy award-winning band The Eagles will bring its national tour to Springfield Nov. 13 to open the new arena; MSU takes control of the facility Oct. 24, while the men’s and women’s basketball teams begin their home seasons Nov. 22 and 23, respectively.

Randy Blackwood, the university’s executive director of athletics and entertainment facilities, said much of the credit for the event goes to Springfield businessman and concert promoter Mike Ingram. Ingram, owner of Fireworks Across America, is close friends with Les Garland, one of the co-founders of both MTV and VH-1, and used that connection to bring the band to Springfield.

Season-ticket holders and members of the university’s Founder’s Club will be able to purchase tickets this Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the university’s online box office, www.missouristatetix.com.

“One of the benefits that we want to have for season-ticket holders is to have pre-notification of concerts and other events that happen at JQH Arena,” said Vice President for University Advancement Brent Dunn. “We’ve said that from the very beginning as we started the season-ticket campaign.”

Tickets, priced at $85 for upper-level seats and $185 in the lower levels, will go on sale to the general public Monday through the Web site, by phone at (417) 836-7678 and at the four MSU Tix box office locations on campus. Current MSU students will get a $25 discount due to a sponsorship by the Student Activities Council.